RAWALPINDI: Usman Kahawaja and David Warner made aggressive half centuries and provided Australia a breezy start of 138-0 at lunch on the third day of the first test against Pakistan.
Pakistan-born Khawaja made full use of two dropped catches and was unbeaten on 70 while Warner was not out on 60 on a placid wicket where Pakistan had declared its first innings at 476-4.
Both left-handers were hardly troubled by the early pace of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah and didn’t let the two specialist spinners -- Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali -- get settled by smashing 23 boundaries in the first session during which Pakistan bowled 32 overs.
Pakistan twice came close to dismissing Khawaja, but Fawad Alam dropped a simple chance at gully in Shaheen Shah Afridi’s fifth over when the opener was on 22. Khawaja added insult to injury by taking three consecutive boundaries against the left-arm fast bowler on either side of the wicket.
Wickekeeper Mohammad Rizwan shelved another chance soon after Khawaja had completed his half century and went for a reverse sweep against left-arm spinner Nauman.
Khawaja raised his fifty off 67 balls with eight fours while Warner raised his fifty off 86 balls with nine boundaries when he smashed offspinner Iftikhar Ahmed for three boundaries in his first over as the wicket hardly gave any assistance to either fast bowlers or spinners.
Pakistan batters Azhar Ali (185) and Imam-ul-Haq (157) had scored big hundreds before Pakistan declared its first innings late on the second day.
Khawaja and Warner lead Australia to rapid 138-0 in 1st test against Pakistan
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Khawaja and Warner lead Australia to rapid 138-0 in 1st test against Pakistan
- Pakistan-born Khawaja made full use of two dropped catches and was unbeaten on 70 while Warner was not out on 60 at lunch
- Pakistan batters Azhar Ali and Imam-ul-Haq had scored big hundreds before Pakistan declared its first innings late on the second day
Rising Turkish and Indonesian stars awarded wildcards for 2026 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open
- Zeynep Sonmez and Janice Tjen add further international depth to elite WTA 500 field taking part from Jan. 31- Feb. 7 at Zayed Sports City
- Sonmez, ranked 112th in the world, is in good form having qualified for the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, where she defeated 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round
ABU DHABI: The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open has confirmed rising Turkish star Zeynep Sonmez and Indonesia’s Janice Tjen as wildcard entries for the 2026 tournament, adding further global representation to the growing field for the WTA 500 event from Jan. 31 to Feb. 7.
Both players arrive in Abu Dhabi with strong international followings and increasing momentum on the professional circuit, underlining the tournament’s reputation as a platform where emerging talent from across the world competes alongside established stars on one of women’s tennis’ most exciting stages.
Sonmez, ranked 112th in the world, is in particularly hot form having qualified for the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, earlier this month before stunning 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round and then falling to Yulia Putintseva in a stormy third round, three-set encounter.
Tjen, already one of Indonesia’s most successful players of the professional era and the current world No. 59, has continued her rise through the international ranks with a series of impressive performances across the WTA circuit.
A second-round loser at the Australian Open, the 23-year-old’s wildcard entry reflects both her growing profile and the increasing strength and visibility of tennis in Southeast Asia, a region that continues to produce new talent and passionate fanbases.
The announcements build on a strong list of early confirmations already revealed for the fourth tournament. Defending champion Belinda Bencic (world No. 10) will return to Abu Dhabi as she bids for a third Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open title, having lifted the trophy in both 2023 and 2025.
The Olympic gold medallist remains unbeaten at the tournament and returns following a standout comeback season on the WTA Tour.
Rising star Alexandra Eala has also been confirmed, reinforcing the event’s position as a showcase for the next generation of elite women’s tennis.
Tjen said: “I’m really excited to be coming to Abu Dhabi and grateful for the opportunity to compete in such a high-level tournament. The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is an event I’ve followed closely, and it means a lot to be able to test myself against some of the best players in the world. I’m looking forward to the challenge and to experiencing the atmosphere in front of the fans.”
Sonmez, aged 23, was similarly thrilled to be included in the elite line-up, adding: “Receiving a wildcard for the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is a great honor. This tournament brings together an incredible field every year, and I’m proud to represent Turkey on such a prestigious stage, and I’m ready to give my absolute best on the court in Abu Dhabi.”
Nigel Gupta, tournament director at event organizers MARI, said: “Wildcards are an important part of what makes the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open special. They allow us to shine a spotlight on exciting players from different parts of the world while continuing to build a world-class field.
“Janice and Zeyneb both bring strong followings and real competitive quality, and they complement a line-up that already includes established champions and some of the most promising young players on the WTA Tour.”
